EU: Trump’s decision on al-Quds to take Mideast to ‘even darker times’

EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini says US President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem al-Quds as the Israeli “capital” could take the region “backwards to even darker times.”

Speaking at a press conference in the Belgian capital, Brussels, Mogherini warned that Trump’s decision “has a very worrying potential impact.”

“It is a very fragile context and the announcement has the potential to send us backwards to even darker times than the ones we’re already living in,” she added.

Mogherini’s comments came one day after Trump officially recognized Jerusalem al-Quds as the “capital” of Israel and directed his administration to begin a years-long process of moving the American embassy in Tel Aviv to the holy city.

Trump’s move sparked worldwide condemnations with warnings of more tensions in the occupied territories.

The top EU diplomat underlined the need for “an even stronger engagement for peace” at the current difficult time.

“What we truly need in these difficult times is wisdom and to listen to the wise voices calling for peace and peaceful reactions,” she said. “The most urgent priority now is that all relevant actors avoid to further escalate tensions on the ground.”